Sanford-Springvale Historical Society

Description

Indian's Last Leap, from a photo taken in the early 1900s. Although there is no historical basis for the story, the legend of the Indian's Last Leap, as recorded in the Bi-Centenial History of Sanford, is as follows:
Resultant from a raid by the Indians on a wedding party of one Plaisted at Wells, in which Chief Wivurna was killed. The feud was carried to the third generation. Plaisted's grandson, son of Roger Spencer, had built his home near the banks of the Meguncock (now Mousam) River near Butler's Corner. One day he was surprised while across the the river by a band of Indians lead by Chief Nahanda, who gave chase. Young Spencer sped toward home, coming to the river where it dashes between two gigantic boulders twenty feet apart. With a mighty effort Spencer leaped into space and landed on the far side. Chief Nahanda, who was close behind, was not so fortunate, as his leap was a trifle short and his head dashed across the cliff, he fell onto the rushing waters and was killed thus earning for the spot the name of "Indian's Last Leap."

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